htafc.com caught up with Town boss Andy Ritchie this afternoon following the 4-0 derby-day defeat at Elland Road to high-flying Leeds United.

"It's very painful. We played very well in the first-half but we've not really tested them at all in the second. Our final ball into the box wasn't good enough, theirs was and we paid the price.

"We were very upbeat in the changing room at half-time and we felt that we could get the game back and get something out of it. I can't really remember them having a shot at Alex, but they've scored four goals. The first goal was the only real shot.

"It's disappointing because of all the good play we had and all the good situations we created. We never really tested them.

"As I say, the final ball into the box was either behind our forwards or went to their defensive unit and it was cleared. The balls that they put in against us were of better quality and in behind our defenders, causing us problems. We know we have to do that better.

"We had a lot of good play, particularly in the first-half, but when the third goal went in our heads went down a little bit and you can accept that the players can get disheartened, but you have to keep going. I think we just lost a bit of heart. However, I didn't think there was a referee on the pitch in the first-half; I'll leave it at that.

"We've had a good chat about it in the dressing room and they know what is needed. We have to pick ourselves up again now.

"You have to score goals when you are on top. We had one or two shots; Jevo had a volley that went narrowly wide, but we never head a shot that the 'keeper had to save. We also turned down a few crossing opportunities whereas they put the ball in at every opportunity. If we do that, we put them under more pressure.

"We have to defend better. The back four had to change today because Frank was missing due to his ending-off, which didn't help us but they scored goals by sliding in and we have to do that better at both ends.

"I thought Robbie was excellent considering it's his first game and we threw him into a derby atmosphere. He looked very assured. I still thought he needed another game but apparently not - he will be much better for the 90 minutes today. We left Joe on the bench as we felt we needed Robbie's experience; he's played a hell of a lot of games on the trot for somebody who has only just turned 18 and he needs a little bit of a rest.

"It was a massive game for Alex to come into and he did fine; he knows what it's all about now! He's not pleased that four have gone past him, but it was a big game for him to come into and there's no blame attached to him at all."